Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Lynas defamation suit transferred to Kuantan High Court

KUALA
LUMPUR, Sept 26 — Australian miner Lynas Corporation lost its bid today
to keep its defamation suit against detractors from being heard here
after the High Court ruled to transfer the controversial case to
Kuantan, Pahang.

The transfer is seen as a boost for the case of Kuantan-based local
environmental group Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) in its ongoing
campaign to snuff out the rare earth giant’s move to fire up its RM2.5
billion refinery in coastal Gebeng.

In ruling against Lynas, High Court judge Datuk Louis O’Hara said having
the trial heard in Kuantan would be better than holding it here on the
opposite side of the peninsula, as most of the defendants and witnesses
were from the east coast city. - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 26, 2012):
The High Court here allowed the transfer of the defamation suit filed
by Lynas Corporation Limited and Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd against
Anti-Lynas group 'Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas' (SMSL) to the Kuantan
High Court.

Justice
Datuk John Louis O'Hara agreed with the defendants' counsel Datuk
Bastian Pius Vendargon that it would be much more convenient for his
five clients who currently resided in Kuantan to attend the trial there.

Justice
O'Hara ruled that the court was guided by Section 23 of the Judicature
Act 1964 with regards to the issue of jurisdiction and issue of most
suitable forum and concluded that the Kuantan High Court had the
jurisdiction to hear the suit. - BERNAMA